Chicago Marathoner Attacked During Early Morning Run

"A 25-year-old woman training for the Chicago Marathon over the weekend said she was attacked during a morning run and saved by a stranger," reports NBC Chicago.

The athlete went for a run at around 5:45 AM on Saturday and says she was followed from Grand and Franklin to Franklin and Kinzie. Behind the Gilt Bar on Kinzie Street, she was attacked from behind.

"I was choked and strangled to the ground," the victim reported to NBC Chicago. "While the man was on top of me a complete stranger saved my life who was walking down the street on his way to work."

The man who intervened in the attack was Tom Cronin, who called 911 after being "stunned by how violent the act was. This was not just an attack or come up behind and bear hug. He threw her to the ground."

The victim called the attack the most terrifying four minutes of her life, saying, "This man was vicious. He had one intention and that was to strangle me and get me to pass out on the ground."

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon reached out to the runner and offered condolences for her experience while training for the race. "No event in Chicago brings people, neighborhoods, businesses, public safety and government agencies together more than the Chicago Marathon. We all have a stake in keeping our neighborhoods safe not just on race day, but every day."

The victim hopes that the other runner stay vigilant while running. "It's River North, you think you're in a safe neighborhood. I want this to be a message to keep your guard up."